This is going to contain my very raw reactions (only a few minutes have passed since the episode was streamed) so this won't be cohesive at all, there won't be an analysis either. I might write one in this thread some other day. But this episode left me SCREAMINGGGG.
- First, of course, MANAMI AND TAIGA ARE SUCH A CUTE COUPLE! They are both clingy without being too forward, and in their own ways they are fighting for their relationship. Manami is willing to quit the school to be with Taiga, and Taiga wants to quit being a host to be a "better man" for Manami. Well, of course, it would be hard for Manami to hear Taiga say"aishiteru" to other women lol. I just love how they are showing their purest smiles to one another. However, I can see that Taiga is still trying to get used to the idea of loving someone. He did promise to himself to never fall in love, so his whole relationship with Chihuahua-sensei takes a bit of getting used to. But it's as clear as day that he doesn't want to let go.
- I hate the school. Period.
- KAWAHARA MY MAN! I CAN'T BELIEVE THERE WAS A TIME WHERE I ALMOST WANTED TO BURN MY TV EVERYTIME YOU APPEAR ON SCREEN 😭 He really has changed upon knowing and understanding Manami and Taiga's relationship. Not only did he stay true to his word of supporting both of them, he also fought alongside them. And by fight, I mean he FOUGHT MANAMI'S DAD! Not only did he say to Papa that he's suffocating Manami, he even said that Manami needed a man like Taiga; a man that could allow her to do what she wanted. Another user had pointed out that Kawahara was a character who sought after the truth, and I loved how he defended that truth the moment he witnessed it for himself. It really showed that a man exposed to a male-dominated field could either choose to be an asshole, or to change for the better. I'm glad Kawahara chose to be better.
- One sweet scene that is stuck in my mind was Manami and Taiga conversing by WRITING TO EACH OTHER. WRITING TO EACH OTHER!!!!!!!! We've come so far 😭 From Manami offering to teach a reluctant Taiga to write his own name, now they're openly flirting with pen and paper. And you know what's interesting? They could only write simple phrases, but the fact that they're writing it puts greater weight to it. It may not be as elaborate as a poem, yet the message that is conveyed is much deeper. As deep as the connection they have formed.
- With regards to Taiga's mom... she is a parasite, and everyone knows that. But the show has already given enough hints that she was in an abusive relationship (the salon itself is taped all over and the glasses are broken), and she is showing more desperation to get money from Taiga. And it's more evident in this episode. She did all that she could, and even tried to use Yuki again to try to entice Taiga. And yet, Taiga finally told her to leave. Forever.
- It actually makes me feel a bit complicated, because it's been very obvious that she was not a good mother at all. And yet, when a flashback shows a warm moment between her and little Taiga, it probably made her realize that she drove her child to leave her. The innocent little Taiga who laughs when getting his hair cut became an adult Taiga who mustered his courage to tell her to never talk to him again... it is painful, yes. But it was the reality check she needed. To stay as his mother, she needed to become his mother first. And yet she didn't.
- AND LASTLY, MANAMI'S DAD. I still hate him because he's a domineering man and how he's the perfect example of what patriarchy is. He's done so much damage to his wife and daughter, and I don't think he's as a redeemable character as Kawahara. HOWEVER, his characterization is the most complex among all the characters. Although I hate him, I still pity him. Even with how controlling he is, there's no denying that he acted out of love. For him, it was "love," but his eyes were never truly opened over how damaging it is. And so, as he lovingly gazed at Manami's childhood pictures, I saw him as a dad that did what he thought was right for the daughter that he loved. He thought that "control" protected her. He thought that "watching over her" made life easier for her. He thought that "paving the way for her" would not let her experience difficulties in life. That's why he exercised his power for Manami to enter a university and even intervened for her to be accepted at her previous dream job and her current school. And yet, as what Manami's mom has said, "we are not your property." What a powerful statement! Even with the "love" Papa has for them, they were never his to control. They too deserved freedom.
- And so, when Papa barged in on Manami's apartment and saw Taiga there, he berated him. Lashed out on him. Judged his very character. And yet, at the very end, he gave Taiga a challenge: Taiga could still change his life. There are still opportunities for him to learn, and there are still paths that he could take to change the trajectory of his life. Which was a very odd way of saying "alright, you guys could date as long as you become better persons," but then again we are talking about Manami's dad. Despite being an aggressive approach, that is how he said to Manami that "you chose this man, and so I'll trust you. But he needs to prove himself to me." AND YOU KNOW WHAT? If this was the old Taiga--the Taiga that throws his workbooks when he couldn't read or write the words properly--then he might have ran away. He probably would've said "bye bye" to Chihuahua-sensei again. But Taiga has changed. And so, with the challenge of Manami's dad, he said "I'll do it." AND IM SO PROUD OF HIM 😭
AND NOW WE ARE DOWN TO ONE LAST EPISODE, I'M SOOOO CURIOUS TO SEE HOW THIS WILL ALL TURN OUT 😭
